In the ongoing series of brutal massacres committed by the Syrian regime against civilians, on Sunday, April 21, 2013 the regime’s forces committed a new massacre in Artouz at dawn, killing 350 martyrs. This was preceded, just three days ago, by a massacre in which 100 people were martyred. This brings the verified number of martyrs during the last six days to 450. The total number of martyrs from this city, over the past two years of our Revolution, has reached 721.

After clashes between the Free Syrian Army (FSA) and regime forces, and despite the FSA’s withdrawal to save civilian lives, the regime mobilized large numbers from its 4th Division, Republican Guard, Lebanese Hezbollah, and shabbiha militias from the Somarieh barracks to storm the city and attack civilians. Many of the casualties were women, children, and elderly persons. Some victims were slaughtered; others were shot. The corpses were set on fire near positions controlled by the regime’s 100th Regiment. These regime forces also launched an indiscriminate arrest campaign, which affected a large number of people who were trying to bury the martyrs of the massacre.

This arrest campaign is still ongoing in the region amid a communications blackout, an acute shortage of medicine and medical supplies, and the closure of the all roads leading to and from the city.

It must be noted that this city has been an area of refuge for the internally displaced residents of the cities and towns of Eastern and Western Ghouta.

The Local Coordination Committees in Syria extends its deepest condolences to the families of the martyrs of our revolution for freedom and dignity in general. In particular, tonight we express our condolences to the families of the martyrs of Jdeidet Artouz. We express our deep sorrow for and solidarity with the Syrian people with the martyrs of the revolution for freedom and dignity in Syria in general, and the people of New Martyrs Artouz in particular. It expresses deep sorrow and full solidarity with the Syrian people who share this immense pain.

Moreover:

The LCC holds the Syrian regime fully responsible for the brutal crimes committed against unarmed civilians, and calls on the United Nations Security Council to refer these crimes to the International Criminal Court as war crimes.

We call on the international community and its institutions to assume their legal and ethical responsibilities as the Syrian regime continues to commit crimes against humanity, and to take serious steps to stop these massacres.

The LCC calls on all political institutions and committees led by the Syrian National Coalition, and all other opposition forces, to overcome their differences. We call on them to assume their responsibilities in putting an end to the tragedy of the Syrian people.

The LCC calls on all armed resistance forces, and in particular our brothers in the FSA, to improve their coordination and cooperation so as to increase the likelihood of success of military operations against regime forces. We reiterate to the armed resistance that their priority must be to protect civilians in conflict zones.

Mercy to our martyrs. May our wounded heal and our detainees be freed.

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